The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-30

1t is one of the apparently strange things
that large per cent. of citizens do not pay
much attention to local affairs and local
and cheer with lusty throat, responding to
any sentiment favoring local self government
for Ireland, then 60 home, and if there be an
election for Mayor and Councilmen the next
day absolutely forget or neglect it. What is
the use of saying in the columns of newspa-
pers that no election is so important
local election? That is a trite truth. The
local officers levy the taxes, expend the reve-
nues and look after all the things that direct
ly touch our homes and business. Everybody
knows that, and yet everybody does not act
upon the knowledge. WhyG In presidential
or gubernatorial election there is little or no
trouble in arousing public interest and in
getting out the full vote on election day. The
best citizens will stay up all night, and for a
week of nights, if necessary to hear the latest
returns upon an election for Presi dent in
which they have not 1.-THE as much real
concern as in the choice of Mayor or
councilman, or trustee, but to elect whom
they will not take the small trouble of going
to the polls. Whyg WE'LL one very potent
reason, as it appears to the Journal, after
a study of some years of the enigma in
Indianapolis, is that SO little attention is paid
by those more directly interested, and who,
in our voluntary political system assume and
are left to do the work of politics, to the mat
ter Of arousing the people in local elections.
If presidential or gubernatorial election
were to be carried on as local elections so
Justly charged with incompetency or imbecil-
ity. For weeks and months, almost, in a
State and national campaign, every town and
city, every village and roads, is made to
blaze with public meetings, and addresses are
made discussing the issues involved and the
results to be attained. Gradually the interest
of the people is developed, aroused, worked
up; they are made to- think and talk about the
election; it is continually on their minds and
in their hearts, so that, by the last few days
of the canvass, everybody is eager for the
battle of the ballots. In this country, while
we have no special political class, there are
vet those who have taste for the work of pol
itics and to these the great body of the people
are content to commit that duty. These are
our political committees, and Others found
everywhere and who paid, in way or
another, by the busy, business people for this
particular function in political system.
The work is perfectly honorable when honora-
bly, done, entirely essential, and universally
recognized. 1t is not the fault of the people
so much that they are not aroused as
they should be in local campaigns; and we
are glad to see that from this time forward
there is to be no lack OF vigor in the work of
stirring up the voters Of Indianapolis by those
upon whose shoulders is devoived the machin-
cry of the campaign and election. Let Indian
apols be campagned for city elections as it
is for State and national elections. Let the
same speakers, whose mettle is aroused by
State and national issues, feel that local
issues and local concerns not beneath
their best attention and best effort. With
meetings fully advertised, and addressed
Dy as aoIe SpeakerS Will DIS 1Hucus care
and earnestness in local campaign as in a
State or national campaign, like interest
among the people could be aroused. and as
full vote polled on the day of election.
Never was there better time or better
issue for this policy than now and here.
Never was there better cause; never a more
powerful one to enlist the best effort of
speakers and the earnest and determined
energy and enthusiasm of the people. Build
the bonfres on every street corner, beginning
with tomorrow night, and keep it up until
the campaign is VIGOROUSLY over. Call the
people out from their homes and fresides in
every precinct and every ward to talk over
the perils threatening the peace and
prosperity of the city. Garry the war, prac-
tically and aggressively. into Africa-into the
territory claimed and monopolized by the
gang as peculiarly their own. Let the whole
city be ablaze and alive, and there will be no
trouble about getting out the vote. And
while this is being done, do not forget the
value of quiet talks to your neighbors; visits
to the unconcerned and dsaffected; parlor
conferences on every block, to see who will
be at the polls on election day, to remain for
any proper work that may develop during the
polling; who will pledge the use of buggies
and carriages to bring careless or disabled
voters to the polls; who will agree to 'eiose up